At $7,403/yr net price, Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates earn $55,939/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,939/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,403 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,612 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,939/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,939/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,309/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,317/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,738/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,946/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,317/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,454 | $23,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $40,140 | $25,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $30,251 | $20,180 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $15,552 | $12,000 |
The Risk Factor
26.0% of students at Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Potomac State College gives you a low-cost entry point with a strong return if you pick the right major, but the school's 26% graduation rate is the number that should stop you. Six of every ten students who start finish, and only about a quarter graduate on time enough to count. Whether the math works for you depends almost entirely on whether you finish and what you study.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays roughly $61,000 ten years out on debt that matches the school's overall median, and that salary holds up in the rural West Virginia and western Maryland job market where hospital demand stays steady. Business Administration is a different story: you take on the highest debt of any program listed, $25,000, and earn about $40,000, the weakest debt-to-earnings tradeoff on the page. Liberal Arts and General Studies earns the least at around $30,000, so treat that path as a transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere, not an endpoint.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $5,300 a year, which keeps total cost low even if graduation takes longer. Above $110,000, you pay more than double that, and the return gets thinner if you land in business or liberal arts instead of nursing.
The real financial risk is not price, it's completion. With a 60% retention rate, there's a meaningful chance you leave with debt and no degree, which is the worst outcome the numbers allow. This school fits you if you're pursuing nursing or planning to transfer, and you're confident you'll stay enrolled. Look elsewhere if you want a business degree with strong earnings, or if you're unsure you'll finish, because the graduation odds here work against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Potomac State College of West Virginia University worth the cost?
With a low net price of $7,403 per year and median earnings of $55,939 after graduation, Potomac State offers decent value for the cost. However, the 26% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Potomac State College of West Virginia University?
Nursing programs pay the best at $61,454 annually, while business administration graduates earn around $40,140. Liberal arts programs have much lower earnings, with some graduates making only $15,552 per year.
How much debt do Potomac State College of West Virginia University graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $22,500 in debt, which is manageable given the low tuition costs. The bigger concern is the low graduation rate, which increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree.
Should I attend Potomac State College of West Virginia University for liberal arts?
Liberal arts graduates from Potomac State earn between $15,552 and $30,251 annually, which may not provide strong return on investment even with low tuition. Consider whether these earnings will support loan repayment and living expenses.